{"id":179,"date":"2019-02-21T11:59:00","date_gmt":"2019-02-21T11:59:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/141.148.246.190\/index.php\/single-post\/the-giants-gamble-pt-8\/"},"modified":"2022-04-21T15:24:54","modified_gmt":"2022-04-21T15:24:54","slug":"the-giants-gamble-pt-8","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/index.php\/2019\/02\/21\/the-giants-gamble-pt-8\/","title":{"rendered":"The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 8"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Chapter 8: The Gamemaster <\/span><\/h3>\n
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As the riders approached through the darkness, Kilian held up a hand as they slowed and shouted, \u201chail travelers and well met!\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

The lead rider motioned for them to halt and they brought their horses around them. \u201cHail,\u201d the man said, raising his torch to see their faces, \u201cwhat are you doing out here? Don\u2019t you know there are giants about?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWe know,\u201d Thia said, brushing her thick black hair back from her face, \u201chave you seen more?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThree down the road,\u201d the man nodded his head in the direction they\u2019d come.<\/p>\n

\u201cHow far down the road?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cA few miles North of here,\u201d the human told him, clearing his throat. \u201cThese are not safe times to be out on the road. I suggest you find somewhere safer to make camp.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kilian expressed his thanks for the warning with a gracious nod, and the man gave them one last long look, then rode off with his men, torches lighting their night\u2019s journey.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should clear out,\u201d Kilian suggested. \u201cThe sun will be up in a few hours, and we don\u2019t want more giants stumbling into our path unless we\u2019re ready for it.\u201d<\/p>\n

They all agreed and packed up their tent and other belongings, then made their way across the road and down the other side, staying hidden as much as possible as the sun eventually peeked over the horizon, casting their world in a pale orange glow.<\/p>\n

\n

A few hours after dawn they came across the recent battlefield scattered with the bodies of three giants and at least two dozen wild people, men and women from the area who lived a nomadic lifestyle. \u201cFrost giants,\u201d Thia said as she inspected the fallen body of one of the giants. It had grayish-blue skin and dead, ice-blue eyes open and staring. There was no sign of life anywhere.<\/span><\/p>\n

Opal began scanning the battlefield, picking up broken armour and casting it aside, then following the mess of footprints and ruined brown grasses. \u201cIt looks like a large group of wild people ambushed these three giants. They left their dead behind, but most of them left and headed south.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou could read all that from the ground?\u201d Roon asked, impressed.<\/p>\n

Opal nodded happily.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe should check all the bodies,\u201d Thia said, digging around in one of the giant\u2019s fallen packs. \u201cIt looks like the wild people didn\u2019t care too much for what the giants had on them.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evelyn jogged over to another giant\u2019s body and began rummaging through its belongings.<\/p>\n

A few minutes later, they had made a pile with an oddment of items. Roon sifted through the junk. There were two wooden oars meant for a small rowboat, which he placed in their bag of holding, a dead fish, a live chicken found by Evelyn, which Roon named Sheila but Evelyn insisted they eat for supper, and a few broken spears and scattered arrows. Bran went through the arrows and inspected them all, but none of them seemed to be intact.<\/p>\n

Roon bent to tie a string around Sheila\u2019s neck. The hen clucked at him and he patted her white head affectionately. \u201cIf we keep her around, we could have eggs for breakfast.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bran crossed his arms. \u201cI don\u2019t think chickens are very quiet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just then, there was a flash and a pop, and a large hand grabbed Evelyn\u2019s shoulder. The girl spun around, a hidden dagger appearing in her hand. Everyone turned and spun to look at the stranger, who had appeared from thin air. Roon immediately drew his shortbow and Thia slid her sword from its sheath. The figure was a tall cat-like person with thick, tiger-striped fur and large clawed hands whose finger knuckles bent the wrong way\u2014back into his hand rather than toward his palm.<\/p>\n

\u201cPut the weapons down,\u201d the tiger-man said with a chuckle. \u201cThose wouldn\u2019t hurt me even if you tried.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m willing to try,\u201d Thia said through clenched teeth, keeping her blade raised. \u201cWho are you?\u201d<\/p>\n

The tiger-man stared at her for a second, blinked, then looked down at Evelyn. \u201cEvelyn, I came here to warn you.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWarn me?\u201d The white-haired girl said, lowering her dagger and taking a step back. \u201cWarn me about what?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYour step-mother is trying to kill you,\u201d he said matter-of-factly. \u201cSo, I want you to kill her first.\u201d<\/p>\n

Evelyn barely skipped a beat before saying, \u201cI guess I could do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy does she want you dead?\u201d Thia asked and Evelyn shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Kilian said hesitantly, a glowing orb crackling in his lowered hand, \u201cwhy don\u2019t you kill her then, if you can\u2019t be hurt? Why come to Evelyn?\u201d<\/p>\n

The tiger-man smiled patronizingly, \u201cIt\u2019s not for me to do,\u201d then snapped his fingers and disappeared.<\/p>\n

They all looked around, keeping their weapons aloft just in case the stranger reappeared.<\/p>\n

\u201cEvelyn, do you know who that was?\u201d Thia asked, her tone sharp. \u201cAnd what\u2019s wrong with your step-mother?\u201d<\/p>\n

Roon lowered his bow once he was sure the tiger-man was really gone.<\/p>\n

Evelyn shrugged. \u201cI don\u2019t know what that was. But, I do hate my step-mother, so I guess I could kill her.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWoah, woah,\u201d Roon said, \u201cwe can\u2019t just go around killing people without a reason, Evelyn. Why does she need to be killed? Is she a bad person?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI think so,\u201d Evelyn said. \u201cShe and my dad are both mean people, but she is especially. They were always mean to me.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat happened to your real mom?\u201d Opal asked softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cMy dad killed her,\u201d Evelyn said.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs that why you ran away?\u201d Thia asked.<\/p>\n

Evelyn shrugged again. \u201cNo. Not really.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kilian looked around at the scattered battlefield again, then said, \u201cwe should keep going to Everlund.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOkay,\u201d Evelyn grabbed Sheila from the ground and, with a twist of her tiny hands, broke the chicken\u2019s neck before Roon could stop her. \u201cI\u2019m starving. Anyone else?\u201d<\/p>\n

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On their continued journey toward Everlund they argued with Evelyn about why the girl wanted her stepmother dead, but she gave them very little to discuss. When they finally reached the large city, they entered through one of the five gates. The city was split in twain by a river with two wide bridges spanning over it. As they entered, Evelyn said quietly, \u201cthis is where I grew up. It looks the same.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

They looked at her and Thia said, \u201cperhaps if your stepmother wants you dead, we should disguise you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAlright,\u201d Evelyn said, and Thia pulled her into an alley and began painting the girls face and covered her hair. They returned a few minutes later, Evelyn looking very much like a boy with her hood on.<\/p>\n

\u201cI say we go to the market first and gather any supplies we need,\u201d Kilian said, \u201cthen we can look for the half-orc Darathra told us about.\u201d<\/p>\n

They joined the small crowd of people milling through the outdoor market and came away an hour later with several interesting items purchased. Bran brandished a new crossbow, showing Roon the fine wood stain, and Thia found a fine longbow and replaced it for her shortbow. Evelyn purchased a pile of knickknacks, including a pipe that blew bubbles, and Kilian found a thick leather belt to wear over his shoulder to hold his many daggers. Roon bought a large head of broccoli, a gnome-made music box and a tinkerer\u2019s set. He hadn\u2019t tinkered in many years, but he had been spending a lot of time thinking about his past lately, and he felt a pull toward old things. Perhaps he could imitate the make of the music box he\u2019d bought.<\/p>\n

Once they were satisfied with their time spent shopping, Roon found a shopkeeper and asked him to point them to Danavar\u2019s House to find Dral Thelev. The man gave them a list of directions, and they set off.<\/p>\n

The house was easy to spot, nestled as it was amongst brown and gray houses, itself painted a rich red with yellow window panes. Kilian knocked, and the door was answered shortly by a man dressed in plain clothes. \u201cWe\u2019re here to see Dral Thelev,\u201d the sorcerer told him.<\/p>\n

\u201cRight this way,\u201d the man said, and without asking any questions he led them into the parlor. They stood awkwardly as the man departed, and luckily, they didn\u2019t wait long.<\/p>\n

A tall half-orc with pale green skin and a brown leather eyepatch over one eye entered the room and greeted Kilian first. \u201cYou are most welcome, travellers,\u201d the half-orc said in a friendly voice, seating himself and gesturing for them to do the same on the two benches against the wall. \u201cHow can I help you?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Kilian began, crossing his legs, \u201cwe have just travelled from Triboar where we spoke with the town\u2019s Lord Protector, Darathra. She told us to come to Everlund and speak with you for help against the giants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGiants,\u201d the half-orc said musingly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe town was attacked by two fire giants,\u201d Thia explained. \u201cMany people died.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat is indeed sad news,\u201d Dral said, \u201cbut what is your interest in the giants?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Kilian said awkwardly, \u201cour hope is to repair the ordening and get things back to the way they were.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what exactly did Darathra tell you?\u201d<\/p>\n

Kilian reached into his coat and pulled out the badge they had each been given from the Lord Protector. The half-orc gestured for him to hand it over, and he inspected the badge carefully before slipping it into his own pocket. \u201cWait\u2014can I have that back?\u201d Kilian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm, no,\u201d the half-orc decided.<\/p>\n

\u201cDarathra said you could help us travel faster,\u201d Roon said in annoyance, \u201cis that true?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cPerhaps,\u201d Dral said, gesturing to the plain man who\u2019d answered the door, \u201cbring us the wine.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man dipped out of the room and returned a minute later with several goblets of wine.<\/p>\n

\u201cI don\u2019t have much to tell you about the giants,\u201d he explained, \u201cbut I know someone who can help you with your travel.\u201d Dral reached over and took a goblet and passed it to Kilian.<\/p>\n

Roon snatched it out of Kilian\u2019s hand and looked in at the deep red wine, then tipped the cup and drained it. With a sudden pop, the gnome disappeared.<\/p>\n

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\u201cWhere did he go?\u201d Kilian demanded of the half-orc, standing immediately.<\/span><\/p>\n

The gnome, along with the goblet of wine, had vanished.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, if the little one had only waited for an explanation,\u201d Dral rolled his eyes and took another goblet of wine, raising it. \u201cThis wine will bring us to the Moongleam Tower. That is where we may discuss things further.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTo your health,\u201d Thia said, taking a cup and raising it to her companions, then draining the contents. The elf disappeared with a pop.<\/p>\n

Everyone else, including Dral, each drank, and each disappeared. Bran waited until all of them were gone. The half-elf stared down at the wine and took a deep breath, gulping it down in one.<\/p>\n

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Roon stared around at the circular stone room. A few cats with closed feather wings batted around a piece of fuzz or were licking themselves clean. One was perched on a chair preening its wings. At an arched window stood a man cloaked in deep blue robes. He turned when Roon popped into existence. \u201cUh\u2014where am I?\u201d Roon asked, eyeing the tall man nervously. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cWhere is Dral?\u201d The man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cHm, good question. I\u2019m sure he\u2019ll be right along.\u201d As he said that, Thia popped into the room, followed by Kilian, Dral, Opal, Evelyn and, finally, Bran.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow that we\u2019re all here,\u201d Dral began, shooting Roon a look then folding his hands behind his back and pacing over to where the man stood, \u201cwe have brought you to Moongleam Tower to speak privately about our organization, the Harpers. This,\u201d he gestured to the man, \u201cis the mage Croen Valhair.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the Harpers?\u201d Roon asked, the name unfamiliar to him.<\/p>\n

Croen spoke up. \u201cWe are a group of men and women interested in keeping a political balance in the land of Faerun.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat, politics,\u201d Roon snorted, and Kilian shot him a nervous look.<\/p>\n

\u201cThe Lord Protector of Triboar sent us to speak with you on matters of transport, and perhaps aid in defeating the giants.\u201d Kilian said.<\/p>\n

\u201cThen our interests align,\u201d Croen said, \u201cfor the Harpers do not want this shattering of the giant\u2019s ordening to continue on as it has.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, you can help us?\u201d Thia asked excitedly.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou must be the wizard,\u201d Croen said to the elf, walking across the round room to a table and reaching into a drawer, pulling out a box. He walked back to Thia and handed it to her.<\/p>\n

Thia opened the box and looked inside. \u201cScrolls?\u201d She said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSpells,\u201d Croen told her, \u201cfor you to learn and use. They should help you against the giants.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThank you,\u201d she said seriously, clutching the box to her chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow, about the transport,\u201d Dral said, gesturing to the intricate stonework on the floor. \u201cThese are transportation circles. If you stand in one and our mage here touches the consecutive circle on the wall here,\u201d he gestured to the painted engravings in the wall, which were a smaller version of what they saw on the floor, \u201cthen you will be sent to whichever place you stand in on the circle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d Roon said, confused, \u201cso someone else has to be here to touch the wall so the rest of us can go, but the person touching the wall doesn\u2019t go with us?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cRight,\u201d the half-orc said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhere do the circles go?\u201d Opal asked, stepping lightly over the intricate patterns in the ground.<\/p>\n

\u201cEach is designated for a different place,\u201d the mage began pointing to each circle on the ground, \u201cthis to Mirobar, then Everlund, here Neverwinter, Yartar, Waterdeep, and the last to Loudwater.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWoah,\u201d Roon said. \u201cHow do we get back here, to the tower?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYou can\u2019t,\u201d the mage said.<\/p>\n

\u201cSo, what\u2019s the point in having all the circles in this place?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, you have to find a different group of transportation circles and find one to bring you to Everlund if you wish to return here via magical transport.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cBut, wait,\u201d Roon scratched his head, still confused, \u201cwhy wouldn\u2019t you just make a mobile transportation circle that you can take with you, that can take you anywhere?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat would be too easy, Roon,\u201d Kilian sighed, \u201cI don\u2019t think magic works like that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess,\u201d Roon shrugged.<\/p>\n

\u201cNow,\u201d Dral continued as if there had been no interruption, \u201cabout the giants. There\u2019s not much advice we can give except that you should kill the bad ones.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cHow do we know which ones are bad?\u201d Opal asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI guess whichever ones you see doing bad things,\u201d the half-orc shrugged. \u201cBadness isn\u2019t particular to one\u2019s race, I suppose.\u201d<\/p>\n

Bran crossed his arms. \u201cThat\u2019s not overly helpful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cDo you have any advice on how we can repair the ordening?\u201d Thia asked, \u201cor how we can find King Hecaton?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dral looked at Croen, who said, \u201cI\u2019m afraid not.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCan you at least tell us what city we should visit next?\u201d Roon pressed.<\/p>\n

The half-orc and mage looked at them, their expressions giving away nothing.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe found out the fire giants are searching for some ancient machinery made of adamantium,\u201d Thia explained. \u201cHave you or your organization heard about that?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat,\u201d Croen said, \u201cI can tell you about. The machine is a giant adamantium weapon known as the Vonendod. It was used long ago in the war between the giants and dragons and was later destroyed and scattered over the land.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThey\u2019re digging up the pieces,\u201d Kilian told the mage, \u201cand they have adamantium staves to help them.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not good,\u201d the mage muttered.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are the Harpers doing to stop the giants?\u201d Roon asked critically. He turned and saw Evelyn had picked up one of the cats with wings and was stroking its fur, eliciting purrs of contentment.<\/p>\n

\u201cYoung man,\u201d Dral began, \u201cthe Harpers protect the people of Faerun, but we are not all-powerful.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThe world is on the edge of destruction,\u201d Kilian said slowly.<\/p>\n

\u201cThis is all we can give you, for now,\u201d the mage said softly. \u201cNow, where would you like to travel?\u201d He walked toward the engraved wall and peered up at the intricate designs.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe can\u2019t leave Everlund just yet,\u201d Roon said, looking again at Evelyn. \u201cWe have some family business to take care of, but we\u2019ll be back. How do we get out of the tower?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cTake the stairs,\u201d Dral said, gesturing to a door Roon hadn\u2019t noticed before.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait\u2014I thought we were in another plane of existence or something,\u201d Roon said.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat made you think that?\u201d the half-orc asked, tilting his head.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, why did we drink the wine if we could\u2019ve just used the stairs?\u201d<\/p>\n

Dral shrugged. \u201cThe Harpers are a secret organization, and we\u2019d like to keep the visitors of the tower discreet.\u201d<\/p>\n

Roon shrugged as well and grabbed Opal\u2019s hand, hauling her to the door. \u201cOkay, let\u2019s go.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cShall we visit Danavar\u2019s House when we wish to visit the tower again?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/p>\n

Croen raised a hand. \u201cUse the stairs to the tower. Just\u2014be subtle.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, I\u2019m excellent at that,\u201d Roon assured him.<\/p>\n

\u201cWait,\u201d the mage said softly, looking down at Evelyn, who didn\u2019t seem to want to leave the cat. \u201cWould you like to keep one of the tressym\u2019s?\u201d<\/p>\n

Evelyn nodded emphatically.<\/p>\n

\u201cTake it,\u201d the mage put a friendly hand on her shoulder. \u201cWe have too many as it is.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCome, Beatrice!\u201d Roon said to the tressym, and the cat leapt out of Evelyn\u2019s arms and trotted after Roon and Opal.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou\u2019re naming her Beatrice?\u201d Thia groaned, following them to the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI kind of like it,\u201d Bran said with a small smile.<\/p>\n

Kilian chuckled and followed them last out of the door.<\/p>\n

\n

Roon dug a hand into one of his pockets and flipped Kilian his badge from Darathra. He\u2019d slipped it out of Dral\u2019s coat as they passed him. \u201cThanks,\u201d Kilian smiled. \u201cI can always count on you to pickpocket anyone.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cSo, Evyn,\u201d Roon began, looking over at Evelyn. She still looked like a boy, so they decided to call her Evyn while in Everlund, \u201cwhat is your family name?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cUh,\u201d the girl looked around nervously as the descended the stairs to the tower, \u201cit\u2019s Elynbrynne.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd where does your family live?\u201d Thia asked.<\/p>\n

Evelyn paused on the stairs and pointed out one of the small, round windows in the side of the tower. There was a massive house with white pillars and green lawns. It was near the edge of the city across the river and was an impressive structure compared to most in Everlund, although there were a few other larger homes around it.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s where they live?\u201d Roon said in surprise. \u201cYour parents are rich.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah, I guess so,\u201d the girl said, continuing down the stairs as everyone took their turn looking out at the manor.<\/p>\n

\u201cI say we do some reconnaissance before rushing in and killing your step mom,\u201d Roon said as they reached the door and stepped outside into the bright sun.<\/p>\n

\u201cIs she deserving of a life?\u201d Bran asked, his dark eyes unblinking.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m fine with killing her. I can do it on my own,\u201d she insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s not a reason,\u201d Roon pointed out. \u201cAs a man of healing, I insist we find out more about the Elynbrynne\u2019s before acting.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kilian dropped a hand on his shoulder and said, \u201cyou\u2019re right, friend.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGreat,\u201d Roon nodded, \u201cbecause I think I know exactly how we should do it.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAs long as it doesn\u2019t involve me playing your servant again,\u201d Kilian sighed.<\/p>\n

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Roon and Kilian approached the manor, striding confidently. The lawns and gardens were eerily pristine as they approached. Roon had on his disguise illusion and displayed himself as a richly dressed dwarf with a trimmed beard and silver beads twisted into his hair. Kilian had on the fine robe he\u2019d taken from the brothel in Triboar and his hair was nicely combed back. The Elynbrynne\u2019s were in the business of trading, Evelyn informed them, so they decided to walk in under the guise of being importers of goods. Roon loved this part of the game most\u2014playing someone else, and lying out of his\u2014<\/span><\/p>\n

Kilian knocked on the front door and a moment later it creaked open a few inches to reveal the strip of a man\u2019s face. \u201cCan I help you?\u201d The man sounded suspicious.<\/p>\n

Roon cleared his throat, putting on a thick dwarvish accent. He\u2019d always liked imitating the accents of others. \u201cYes, hello. We are looking for your Master Elynbrynne. We wish to speak with him on matters of trade.\u201d<\/p>\n

The man behind the door looked at him skeptically.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe\u2019re from the Northern Fleet Trading Company,\u201d Kilian added, straightening his coat and meeting the man\u2019s gaze firmly.<\/p>\n

The man opened the door fully and they could see he was carrying a spear and wearing impressive armour. Roon wondered why a simple house guard would need to wear such an elaborate getup.<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat are your names?\u201d The man asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019m Jorge,\u201d Kilian said, touching a hand to his chest, \u201cand this is\u2026\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cGilbert,\u201d Roon said, and at the same moment, Kilian said, \u201cPatrick.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cThat\u2019s right,\u201d Roon said quickly. \u201cGilbert Patrick is my name, and we don\u2019t like to be kept waiting, so if you could bring us to your master…\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cVery well, come with me,\u201d the man walked stiff-backed through the foyer, leading them to a closed wooden door. He knocked, and a muffled voice from inside told him to enter. \u201cWait here,\u201d the man said, slipping into the room and exchanging words with whoever was inside. Finally, the door opened again, and they were ushered through.<\/p>\n

They entered an impressively grand study with a large window and impeccably organized bookshelves that were thoroughly dusted. Everything, from the maps on the walls to the perfectly combed fibres of the rug under their feet seemed too pristine to be real. Roon was quite good at illusion magic, but whatever spell was making this house look intact was powerful indeed. A pale man with dark rings under his eyes and a long head of hair that was grayer than it was blonde gestured for them to sit in two fine leather chairs. He sat at a large oak desk and behind him stood another well-armoured guard. The one who\u2019d let them in took his place behind him. \u201cWelcome, gentleman,\u201d the man said in a tired voice. \u201cI am Eldyn Elynbrynne, master of this household.\u201d<\/p>\n

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\n

Evelyn and Bran snuck around the manor, the girl directing him to a side entrance used by the servants. They crept along an empty hallway, turning right into a small powder room and holding their breaths as they waited for someone to pass. \u201cDoes this place seem off to you?\u201d Bran whispered to the girl. \u201cIt feels like\u2014strange magic.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Evelyn looked around the room, pulling back her hood and allowing her white hair to spill down. She touched the wall lightly with her fingertip, and it seemed to shimmer. \u201cYou\u2019re right,\u201d the girl said. \u201cSomething\u2019s wrong.\u201d She pulled her hair back and tied it. \u201cC\u2019mon,\u201d she said, leading the half-elf down the abandoned hallway to a set of winding stairs.<\/p>\n

\n

\u201cWe trade exotic woods, mostly,\u201d Roon told Eldyn confidently.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cYes,\u201d Kilian added, \u201cand we\u2019re looking to bring in new foreign investors, some trading companies from across the sea.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWell, that does sound promising,\u201d Eldyn said thoughtfully. \u201cI would, of course, like to see your ledgers.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cCertainly,\u201d Roon raised his ringed finger, \u201chowever, we\u2019d like to know who we\u2019re trading with, to ensure they\u2019re trustworthy\u2014which I\u2019m certain you are. We\u2019ve heard very good things about the Elynbrynne\u2019s of Everlund, and we\u2019d like to meet the rest of the family before moving forward with this business relationship.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cYes, yes,\u201d the man said wearily, rubbing his eyes, \u201cI have a wife.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what\u2019s her name?\u201d Kilian asked.<\/p>\n

\u201cMarah Elynbrynne,\u201d Eldyn said, and he seemed to hold back a shudder as he said the name.<\/p>\n

\u201cCould we meet her now?\u201d Roon pressed, plastering a friendly smile onto his dwarven face.<\/p>\n<\/div>\n

\n
\n

Evelyn and Bran reached the top of the stairs to a pair of double doors, and one was slightly open. Evelyn peeked in and saw a woman lounging in a silk robe on a large throne-like blue velvet chair with intricate, gold-painted designs around its base. Without looking at Bran, Evelyn pushed open one of the doors and stepped into the centre of the room, fists clenched. Bran jumped behind the other door before he could be seen.<\/span><\/p>\n

The woman held her robe tightly to her chest and stood with a startled expression, \u201cwho are you? What are you\u2014wait, Evelyn?\u201d she paused, squinting at the girl with her hair pulled back.<\/p>\n

Evelyn removed the tie from her hair, shaking it so it landed on her shoulders, glaring at the woman with cold eyes. The woman smiled.<\/p>\n

\u201cFancy seeing you here,\u201d the woman said smugly, sitting back in her throne. \u201cI suppose you\u2019ve heard that I want you dead?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat did I do to deserve your wrath?\u201d Evelyn asked, her voice emotionless.<\/p>\n

\u201cOh, nothing you should concern yourself with my dear,\u201d Marah said, waving her hand as if she\u2019d been asked if she wanted a spot of tea.<\/p>\n

\u201cTell me,\u201d Evelyn said quietly.<\/p>\n

Bran pressed himself behind the door, listening but remaining hidden. He drew his crossbow and pressed a bolt into the mechanism, waiting.<\/p>\n

The woman cocked her head. \u201cNo.\u201d She waved her hand again, and this time the illusion around the Elynbrynne manor disappeared, revealing the skeleton of the once beautiful building in its place. Filth covered the floor and the walls were stained with ash. The furniture was in disarray and the tiled floor smashed in places.<\/p>\n

\n

Roon stopped speaking immediately. The illusion of the pristine study suddenly vanished, replaced by dusty, mostly empty shelves and ripped books strewn across the floor. The two guards standing behind Eldyn suddenly transformed into reddish devil creatures with curled horns. If it was possible, Eldyn Elynbrynne looked even more haggard than he had before. Roon snapped his fingers and sent a message to Thia and Opal, who were waiting outside the manor walls for any signal of trouble. <\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cCome now,\u201d Roon said under his breath in the message in Thia\u2019s mind, \u201cit was all an illusion. We\u2019re in trouble.\u201d He paused. \u201cOh, and don\u2019t bring the cat.\u201d<\/p>\n

Just as the three across from them started to realize the illusion had dropped, Kilian stood and grabbed Roon by the arm, his hand shearing through the dwarf illusion, and threw up his other hand. Roon turned to see the two devil creatures raise their spears and leap over the desk before Kilian\u2019s spell exploded in a thick fog. The devils and Eldyn disappeared inside the fog, and Kilian dragged Roon out of the room and slammed the door.<\/p>\n

\u201cI called Thia,\u201d Roon gasped as they ran for the door, then noticed Bran at the top of the winding stairs behind one door. Bran stepped through the other door, out of sight.<\/p>\n

\u201cLooks like Evelyn and Bran are still here,\u201d Kilian said, glancing behind him. \u201cLet\u2019s grab them.\u201d<\/p>\n

As they ran for the stairs, the front door slammed open and Thia and Opal, with the tressym cat following closely at their heels, stepped into the foyer. A second later, the door to the study burst apart in splinters as the two devil creatures jumped out. The six of them looked at each other, and Thia shot a line of flames, which blasted the devils back a few steps.<\/p>\n

\u201cDamned cambians,\u201d Thia cursed as the so-called cambians clambered back to their feet, hissing.<\/p>\n

\n

As the illusion around the manor disappeared, Marah\u2019s figure transformed into the naked form of a curvaceous woman with small red horns protruding from the front of her forehead. She stood tall and unfurled a pair of black, leathery wings and began to laugh as Evelyn drew her blades.<\/span><\/p>\n

Bran stepped into the room next to Evelyn.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, another one,\u201d Marah said smilingly. \u201cYou know, Evelyn, it\u2019s strange. I spent all these years trying to kill you, and now it turns out I needed you here to die.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cIs this still your stepmom?\u201d Bran asked uncertainly, his crossbow loaded and aimed at the creature\u2019s naked chest.<\/p>\n

\u201cYeah,\u201d Evelyn said, then her voice turned into a scream, \u201cand she\u2019s still a bitch!\u201d With that, the white-haired girl\u2019s eyes glazed white.<\/p>\n

Marah put her hands to her temple for a moment, smiling again. \u201cHere comes your father,\u201d she said, then wavered slightly as whatever Evelyn\u2019s spell was took effect. She glared at her stepdaughter.<\/p>\n

Evelyn raised her swords and charged the succubus, and Bran released a bolt at the woman\u2019s exposed breasts.<\/p>\n

\n

\n

\n

Eldyn Elynbrynne burst from the fog-shrouded study and ran past the cambians at a full sprint for the stairs. Kilian tried to trip him as he ran past, but he jumped over the sorcerer\u2019s legs and disappeared into the room upstairs. <\/span><\/p>\n

Roon summoned his ethereal middle-finger and swatted at the cambians while his duplicate form ran out of him and down the stairs toward Thia and Opal, ready to heal them if need be. Opal began throwing ice daggers on the cambians, which exploded in ice shards behind them. They hissed but seemed unphased. Their armour was thick and unbroken. \u201cThese things won\u2019t be easy to kill,\u201d Kilian said, turning his hands in the air and throwing a bolt of energy at one of the cambians, which turned at his voice and began to charge up the stairs past Thia and Opal, ducking under their attacks. Thia had small, burning rocks swirling around her and she shot them at the cambian as it ran. Kilian grabbed Roon and they flew back and up the stairs several feet. Kilian shot a blast of wind down the steps at the creature to knock him over, but it grabbed onto the railing to steady itself and began climbing with effort against the wind. Roon flicked a hand and turned invisible.<\/p>\n

\n

Eldyn shouldered past Evelyn, pushing her aside, and the girl fell back from the succubus as Marah grabbed him by the face and kissed him passionately. The kiss sucked a light of energy from his eyes and mouth. His hair turned stark white and he dropped to the floor, dead. <\/span><\/p>\n

Evelyn cried out and got back to her feet just as Marah side-stepped from another of Bran\u2019s crossbow bolts.<\/p>\n

\n

Opal howled and pounced, her massive direwolf shape slamming into the cambian as it shot fire back at her and Thia. It slammed her in the side and send her sprawling, and she leapt back to her feet and began circling the devil creature just as Thia and Kilian shot streaks of lightning in opposite directions. Opal felt herself fly back as crackling lightning ricocheted off the cambian and struck her in the chest. <\/span><\/p>\n

\n

Roon ran, invisible, up the steps and into the room in time to see Eldyn drop to the floor, dead, and Evelyn get to her feet. Kilian ran through the doors behind him, unaware of where his friend had gone, and stopped short when he saw the naked figure of woman standing before a throne. Bran turned back to the sorcerer, who said, \u201cI see you have all been busy\u2026 more incoming!\u201d With that, the sorcerer began to form another ball of energy in his hands.<\/span><\/p>\n

The succubus turned her gaze on Kilian, and the sorcerer went still for a moment, a flicker in his ice-blue eyes as he redirected the bolt of energy at Evelyn. The girl turned and grimaced, and the bolt vanished. Then, Evelyn charged her stepmother and the succubus slashed the girl with her long, black claws, leaving three bloody streaks across the girl\u2019s face. One of the cambians appeared at the top of the stairs with his spear, and ran for Bran, who managed to turn his crossbow in time to send his bolt glancing off the creature\u2019s thick armour.<\/p>\n

Roon turned visible next to Kilian, and the cambian turned his attention to the gnome as his ethereal hand slammed into the devil from behind. Roon smiled and took a few steps back, then saw a bluish, swirling portal appeared behind the succubus and she blew a kiss to Evelyn. \u201cGood luck, dear,\u201d she said as she stepped back into the portal.<\/p>\n

At that moment, the tiger-man appeared and threw up a hand, and the portal disappeared. The succubus turned on the tiger-man and hissed. He jerked, his eyes making a strange movement. Evelyn used the distraction to slash at the woman, leaving a line of blood across her bare stomach. The succubus shuddered and grabbed her stomach. The cut was deep. Evelyn cut herself, her swords bursting into flame. Then, she skewered the woman. She kicked her, and she fell back, her wings cracking on impact. Evelyn put a boot on her right arm and began stabbing the succubus repeatedly in the torso until her arms were covered in thick blood up to the elbows.<\/p>\n

Roon barely ducked in time as the cambian he\u2019d hit jabbed at him with his spear. Kilian shot a firebolt back at the devil, and at the same moment it thrust with its spear. The spear caught Roon in the gut and he stared down at it for a moment in shock, not quite sure why he couldn\u2019t feel it. Then, there was pain. A second later, the cambian dropped, a crossbow bolt hitting its horn and breaking its neck. Roon fell back, unconscious, the spear still lodged inside him.<\/p>\n

\n

Thia stood at the bottom of the stairs, Opal\u2019s direwolf form standing at her side, and she grabbed a fistful of the druid\u2019s fur and said, \u201chold on!\u201d as the cambian shot a ball of fire at them. There was a loud, thunderous boom as Thia and Opal disappeared, then reappeared with a crackling boom at the top of the stairs. The explosion of their disappearance hit the cambian and it exploded within its armour. A wisp of black smoke curled up from the fallen armour and disappeared into a bluish, waving portal. Thia breathed in relief and turned to the open doors to see Kilian floating at the back of the room with an unconscious gnome in his arms. The tiger creature with the backwards hands stood next to Evelyn over the fallen body of a naked woman with curled leather wings, her torso a gory mess. <\/span><\/p>\n

Kilian dropped to the floor and set Roon down gently. \u201cOpal,\u201d he said, looking at the direwolf, \u201ccan you heal him?\u201d<\/p>\n

Opal transformed back to her genasi form and ran to Roon\u2019s body.<\/p>\n

\u201cWell,\u201d Evelyn said, the flames on her blades extinguishing, \u201cI killed her,\u201d the girl said to the tiger person.<\/p>\n

Roon rubbed his chest and got to his feet with Kilian\u2019s help, Opal completing her healing spell.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ll take that eye back now,\u201d the tiger-man said, holding out his backwards hand.<\/p>\n

Reluctantly, Evelyn pulled out the petrified eyeball she kept in her pocket and looked down at it. \u201cCan\u2019t I keep it?\u201d she asked sadly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, Evelyn,\u201d he said, and she handed it to him slowly. He smiled, then stepped over the body of the woman whom Roon guessed was Evelyn\u2019s stepmother and walked around to the back of the blue-velvet throne. He drew a stone sword from behind it and held it aloft, then took the petrified eyeball and placed it in the pommel of the sword where there was an empty space.<\/p>\n

In a flash, two large portals appeared on either side of him, and two terrifying creatures stepped out. The first creature was a giant horned monster with burnt-orange coloured scales and matching wings. It held a greatsword crackling with blue lightning and a whip made of fire in its other hand. The second creature was a tall, red lizard with horns and folded wings holding a mace four times the size of Roon.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s been way too long,\u201d the tiger-man began in a friendly voice, gesturing for the two creatures to step up. \u201cAs we know, the rules of the game\u2014\u201d<\/p>\n

There was a flash, and a third portal appeared, the largest creature yet stepping out into the room. A lizard with green scales and a thick tale, brandishing a sword.<\/p>\n

\u201cAh, Kikabi,\u201d the tiger-man raised his chin at the lizard, \u201cwhat brings you here?\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI am here to represent the dragon lady,\u201d the monster replied in a low, gravelly voice.<\/p>\n

\u201cI\u2019ve never had three contestants before,\u201d the tiger-man smiled, gesturing for him to step next to the others. \u201cEvelyn, I assume you will be staying for this as a gladiator?\u201d he asked the girl.<\/p>\n

Evelyn stared at him, then shrugged, \u201calright, I guess I can do that.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhat?!\u201d they all said at once.<\/p>\n

\u201cExcellent,\u201d he nodded approvingly, \u201cyou may call me the Gamemaster.\u201d He swept his hands around delightedly. \u201cEvelyn, you are the prize. May the best fiend win.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWait, wait,\u201d Kilian said quickly, walking around to stand by Evelyn, \u201cwhat do you mean she\u2019s the prize? I thought you said she would fight.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cWhy, yes,\u201d the Gamemaster said, staring at them blankly. \u201cIf one of my fiends wins, they shall claim Evelyn\u2019s soul as the prize.\u201d<\/p>\n

\u201cI want to fight,\u201d Evelyn said softly.<\/p>\n

\u201cNo, you really don\u2019t,\u201d Kilian insisted.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou may have two squires of your choosing,\u201d the Gamemaster offered, looking over their group with discerning eyes.<\/p>\n

\u201cKilian, Opal,\u201d Evelyn said, looking at the sorcerer and druid, \u201cI want you to fight with me.\u201d<\/p>\n

Kilian looked over to Roon nervously. Roon knew exactly what he was thinking: they wouldn\u2019t survive a fight against three goliath lizard-men.<\/p>\n

\u201cAnd what are the rest of us supposed to do?\u201d Thia asked, arms folded.<\/p>\n

\u201cYou,\u201d the Gamemaster began, setting the tip of the stone sword on the ground and leaning over it, \u201cwill be my rapt audience.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n

<\/main><\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Chapter 8 of the adventures of a strange party of people as their journey takes them across Faerun, following the story from Dungeons & Dragons, the Storm King’s Thunder.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":664,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"episode_type":"","audio_file":"","cover_image":"","cover_image_id":"","duration":"","filesize":"","date_recorded":"","explicit":"","block":"","filesize_raw":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[12],"tags":[18,19,17,14,15,16,23,20],"series":[],"class_list":["post-179","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-the-giants-gamble-dungeons-and-dragons-series","tag-campaign","tag-cult-of-the-dragon","tag-dnd","tag-dungeons-and-dragons","tag-fantasy","tag-series","tag-the-giants-gamble","tag-wizards-of-the-coast"],"episode_featured_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2022\/04\/Giant_s-Gamble-Blog-Photos8.png","episode_player_image":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/wp-content\/plugins\/seriously-simple-podcasting\/assets\/images\/no-album-art.png","download_link":"","player_link":"","audio_player":false,"episode_data":{"playerMode":"dark","subscribeUrls":{"amazon":{"key":"amazon","url":"https:\/\/music.amazon.ca\/podcasts\/09c34bbc-b359-49af-a286-31830ed5634c\/short-stories","label":"Amazon","class":"amazon","icon":"amazon.png"},"apple_podcasts":{"key":"apple_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"Apple Podcasts","class":"apple_podcasts","icon":"apple-podcasts.png"},"google_play":{"key":"google_play","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Play","class":"google_play","icon":"google-play.png"},"google_podcasts":{"key":"google_podcasts","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.google.com\/feed\/aHR0cHM6Ly9hbGV4aXN2ZWVuZW5kYWFsLmNvbS9mZWVkL3BvZGNhc3Qvc2hvcnQtc3Rvcmllcw","label":"Google Podcasts","class":"google_podcasts","icon":"google-podcasts.png"},"spotify":{"key":"spotify","url":"https:\/\/open.spotify.com\/show\/0lcQCRs52MfYlKs35lVX4K","label":"Spotify","class":"spotify","icon":"spotify.png"},"itunes":{"key":"itunes","url":"https:\/\/podcasts.apple.com\/us\/podcast\/short-stories\/id1621456328","label":"iTunes","class":"itunes","icon":"itunes.png"}},"rssFeedUrl":"https:\/\/blog.alexisveenendaal.com\/feed\/podcast\/default-podcast","embedCode":"

The Giant’s Gamble Pt. 8<\/a><\/blockquote>